Everything Star Wars Took From Dune

Everything Star Wars Took From Dune

There are a number of striking similarities between George Lucas’ much-loved Star Wars franchise and Frank Herbert’s seminal 1965 novel, Dune.

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Despite its status as one of the most successful and original sci-fi series of all time, Star Wars simply wouldn’t be the same without Dune. Although George Lucas’ epic space opera changed the game for the genre, it’s clear that the series took serious inspiration from Frank Herbert’s celebrated novel. As a result, it’s not unreasonable to say that without Dune there would be no Star Wars as it exists today.

Released in 1965, Dune was initially something of a slow-burner. In fact, compared to other contemporary science fiction works, the story took some time to find its audience. However, in years since, the story of Paul Atreides has been recognized as one of the most significant and influential works in the entirety of science fiction, spawning several adaptations and pale imitations. Set on the desert planet of Arrakis, the saga centers around the mythical substance spice – a drug capable of imbuing enhanced consciousness and facilitating intergalactic travel. The story also incorporates elements of religion, politics and philosophy, causing comparisons to everything from Game of Thrones to The Lord of the Rings.

Because of the novel’s widespread acclaim, its influence has permeated many aspects of modern pop culture. However, perhaps because of its shared genre, the book’s most obvious descendent is probably the Star Wars universe. In fact, in the 2003 Herbert biography Dreamer of Dune, written by his son Brian, it is claimed that “(Herbert) & the other science fiction writers who thought they saw their work in Lucas’s movie formed a loose organization that my father called, with his tongue firmly placed in his cheek, the We’re Too Big to Sue George Lucas Society.” This demonstrates the clear parallels that Herbert himself saw between his work and the Star Wars movies. Upon closer inspection, it’s clear that he may have had a claim. Here is everything that Star Wars took from Dune.

Tatooine

Perhaps the most obvious similarity between the two is the setting. Dune’s defining feature is the harsh, arid environment of Arrakis, which boasts oceans of sand in place of actual water. By contrast, Tattoine seems to have a slightly more prosperous population and natural resources, but the physical and climatological similarities between the two planets are uncanny. Additionally, one of Tatooine’s most famous characteristics is the twin suns that illuminate the horizon. While Arrakis only orbits a single star, it does have two prominent moons, which may have influenced Lucas’ thinking about Tatooine.

The Sarlacc

Both Dune and Star Wars boast an array of incredible and terrifying creatures. However, none are perhaps more iconic than Arrakis’ gigantic sandworms, which can grow to several hundreds of meters long and are even used as a means of transportation by the planet’s local Fremen people. Although there are no direct equivalents in the Star Wars universe, the sandworms do share some characteristics with the infamous Sarlacc pit from the Return of the Jedi. Although the Sarlacc’s complete physiology is never fully revealed, the creature’s sharp teeth bear a striking resemblance to those of the sandworms, from which the Fremen make their fabled Kris knives. To make the comparison even more concrete, the Sarlacc itself even lives in a region of Tatooine known as the Dune Sea.

Spice

One of the most important plot points in Dune is the so-called spice melange, a mind-altering substance that allows for interstellar travel and that’s only known source – at least in the first book – is the planet Arrakis. Possession of the spice influences everything in the world of Dune and is one of the factors that shapes the Harkonnen/Atreides feud at the center of the narrative. Although the spice of Star Wars is not as significant to the overall plot as the spice of Arrakis, George Lucas’ films do feature so-called spice mines on the planet Kessel, highlighting a clear connection between the two works.

Uncle Owen’s Job

Living out on the rural sandflats of Tatooine, Owen Lars worked as a moisture farmer in the original Star Wars movie – ably assisted by his nephew, Luke Skywalker, and – for a limited period – the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO. Although Lars’ profession initially seems like fairly innocuous backstory, it is actually another example of the link between the franchise and Dune. On Arrakis, devices known as dew collectors allow the inhabitants to harvest water – fulfilling almost exactly the same function as the moisture farmers of Tatooine.

The Empire

In Star Wars, the Empire serves as the clear antagonists of the story, subjugating planets and weeding out dissenters. However, although they remain one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history, the Empire owes a clear debt to Dune’s Imperium. As the center of political power in the galaxy, the Imperium is arguably a slightly more morally ambiguous presence than the obviously evil empire. However, the Padashar Emperor’s clear ambition and aggression towards the novel’s protagonists firmly places them in opposition – much like Star Wars’ Galactic Empire.

The Rebel Alliance

Both Star Wars and Dune feature guerilla warbands fighting for freedom from the oppression of an imperialist incursion. However, while the Rebel Alliance owes a clear debt to Dune’s Fremen, there are differences between the two. For instance, Star Wars’ rebels are drawn from all corners of the galaxy, whereas Dune’s initially hail entirely from Arrakis. Nevertheless, the presence of freedom fighters in both works provides another unmistakable connection.

Stormtroopers

Not only do both Star Wars and Dune feature an oppressive empire, but both versions also boast their own crack troops. Although the fighting abilities of Star Wars’ stormtroopers have been much-debated, what is undeniable is that they share some clear similarities with the Imperium’s Sardaukar. Both sets of soldiers are supposed to represent an elite fighting force that is feared throughout the galaxy. Although the two designs are quite different, there can be no doubt the stormtrooper concept owes a debt to Dune.

Princess Leia

Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia is one of the most significant characters in the entire Star Wars story, driving the narrative throughout. Although her role as a strong and iconic rebel leader is unquestionable, it’s also clear that there are undoubted similarities between her character and Dune’s Alia Atreides. The younger sibling of main protagonist Paul – which, in and of itself, suggests another Star Wars connection thanks to Luke and Leia’s familial bond – Alia is a mysterious character, blessed with preternatural insight and mind control abilities thanks to her exposure to the Water of Life. Similarly, Leia is not only a close relation of the main Star Wars protagonist Luke, but is also Force-sensitive, suggesting that the link between Leia and Alia is more than just etymological.

Jedi Mind Tricks

The pervading influence of The Force can be felt throughout the Star Wars story. Although Dune lacks the equivalent of an omnipresent spiritual power, there are traits of The Force throughout the story – one of which is the ability to practice mind control. Certain characters in the story, such as Paul and his mother, the Lady Jessica, are capable of layering and intoning their voices in such as way as to be able to influence and control others. While this does not grant them the ability to move objects with their minds, it does bear a striking resemblance to Obi Wan’s ability to control the stormtroopers on Tatooine.

The Jedi Council

In the prequel trilogy, the Jedi order is revealed to sit adjacent to politics, offering counsel to political leaders while subtly influencing affairs from the sidelines. Similarly, the world of Dune is shepherded by the Bene Gesserit cult – a matriarchal group manipulating events behind the scenes and often accused of witchcraft. Much like the Jedi, Bene Gesserit members can be found throughout the galaxy, highlighting their importance to the world of Dune. Though the all-female make-up of the Bene Gesserit differs from the Jedi order, both groups’ status as pseudo-religious organizations demonstrates another clear connection.

The Chosen One

Perhaps the biggest link between the Bene Gesserit and the Jedi, beyond their spirituality, is both groups’ quest for a so-called “Chosen One”. In the world of Star Wars, it is said that this figure will bring balance to the Force and cause the destruction of the Jedi’s enemies, the Sith. By contrast, the Bene Gesserit believe that their Kwisatz Haderach will bring about the ascension of the human race – a process that the group attempts to initiate by means of genetic manipulation. Although there are differences, the presence of a messianic figure in both franchises is probably more than a mere coincidence.

“I am your Father”

Darth Vader’s revelation about Luke Skywalker’s true parentage in The Empire Strikes Back is one of the most famous scenes in movie history. However, although the dramatic moment remains iconic, it perhaps wouldn’t have existed at all without Dune. Much like the shocking reveal in Cloud City, it is explained halfway through Dune that Paul Atreides is actually the nephew of his sworn enemy, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Although it is not Vladimir himself who divulges this information, the role of heritage for both Paul in Dune and Luke in Star Wars highlights how the two stories remain closely connected.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/star-wars-dune-story-concepts-ideas-lucas-copy/

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